David test rides Ben wheelchair

Nevis challenge gears up as creator brings chair to town

A Kintyre man has tested the specialised wheelchair in which he hopes to reach the summit of UK’s highest mountain.

Last Saturday, David MacPherson, who suffered life-changing injuries in a car accident more than 20 years ago, test rode in the Joëlette wheelchair which has taken people with limited mobility to the summits of Mount Snowdon and Ben Lomond but not yet Ben Nevis, which David hopes to conquer on June 5.

The wheelchair was brought to Campbeltown by its creator Nelson Liddle, founder of the charity JAPES (Joëlette and People Experiences), a non-profit social inclusion project, with the initial aim of allowing people with mobility challenges to experience the thrill, excitement and camaraderie of taking part in mass participation running events.

David, aged 45, from The Moy, will take on the Ben Nevis challenge with his dad, David senior, members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue team, volunteers from JAPES and some Kintyre friends, who will help power the wheelchair.

On Saturday, the two Davids were joined by some of the friends who will accompany them on the climb as well as representatives from some of the local companies that are sponsoring the challenge.

They took the Joëlette from the head of Campbeltown’s Old Quay on a tour up Main Street.

David senior told the Courier it was a ‘brilliant’ experience, with members of the public turning out to support them, making them even more keen to take on the challenge.

He added they remain disappointed that they have been unable to hold a number of events in the run-up to the challenge through which they hoped to raise money to be donated to local key workers, including hospital staff and carers, to reward their hard work throughout the pandemic, and Lochaber Mountain Rescue.

If anyone would like to donate to the fund, a special bank account has been set up to allow people to donate money directly. The account name is ‘Ben Nevis Challenge’, the sort code is 82-61-20 and the account number is 40025200.

Email ben-nevis-challenge@ outlook.com or telephone 07873 333184 for further information.

Many Kintyre companies, including Springbank Distillery, have sponsored the challenge. From left: David MacPherson senior, David MacPherson junior, Grant MacPherson of Springbank Distillery and JAPES founder Nelson Liddle.

David MacPherson junior beams as he sits in the Joëlette wheelchair, pushed by JAPES founder Nelson Liddle.

David test rode the specialised wheelchair, which is powered by a team of volunteers, through Campbeltown.